LANSING — Michigan has received more than 46,000 applications for the state's expanded Medicaid program in less than a week.

As of midnight on Monday, the state had received 46,091 applications and enrolled 26,906 people in the Healthy Michigan plan since it launched April 1, according to the Michigan Department of Community Health.

The state hadn't set specific expectations for the first week of enrollment, but it does hope to enroll about 320,000 low-income Michiganders in the program this year. A total of 477,000 people are eligible under the increased income limits.

"And while we are pleased with what we've seen so far, we know we still have a ways to go to get to 320,000 within the first year," MDCH spokeswoman Angela Minicuci said in an email.

Each application can cover multiple people. Applications that haven't been approved yet are either in progress, require further follow-up, were denied, or represent someone who's already enrolled in current Medicaid or MIChild programs.

The numbers have already far outpaced the rate of Michigan enrollments in plans on the Obamacare health insurance marketplace during the first few months.

The nearly 27,000 enrolled in Healthy Michigan in the last six days is almost four times the 6,800 Michiganders who selected insurance plans during the first two months of HealthCare.gov. The marketplace had a rough start that was fraught with technical difficulties.

While final marketplace enrollment numbers aren't available, 144,600 Michiganders had selected plans through February. Open enrollment officially ended in March, but the government gave extensions for certain circumstances.

There's no set enrollment period for Healthy Michigan. Minicuci said enrollment has gone quite smoothly, though the state did encounter a few technical bumps. She said there were issues with Internet browser compatibility, a problem with a "back" button and other things that were quickly resolved.

Outside organizations are working with the state to help get people signed up. That includes some hospitals, which are expecting an increased demand for services as more people gain insurance.

"I think we're very pleased with how this has started and with the progress we've made in the first week," said Ruthanne Sudderth, director of communications operations for the Michigan Health & Hospital Association.

Sudderth recommended potential applicants visit EnrollMichigan.com to find navigators in their area who can help them sign up for coverage. She suggested calling the organizations first to make sure they're prepared to help with Healthy Michigan and in case they require appointments.

Many states expanded their Medicaid programs under the Affordable Care Act. Gov. Rick Snyder and the Republican-led Legislature approved the Healthy Michigan Plan last year but the Senate did not give the measure immediate effect, delaying implementation until April 1.

The Healthy Michigan plan is available to residents ages 19 to 64 who are not currently eligible for Medicaid or Medicare, and earn up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level -- about $16,000 for a single person and $33,000 for a family of four.

They can apply any time online at mibridges.michigan.gov, by phone at (855) 789-5610 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays, or in person at Michigan Department of Human Services offices and other participating locations.